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Washington, DC Social Work Graduate Programs and Degrees

Social work graduate programs are designed for graduate students seeking an advanced degree in social work or to become fully licensed social workers (LMSWs) and clinical practitioners.

Social work graduate programs may appeal to career changers – students whose undergraduate degree is in a related field such as human services or counseling psychology, as well as to BSW graduates seeking to comply with state licensure. Most social work programs are clinical and research based and are offered from accredited universities.

These programs may provide a comprehensive overview of social work theory and methods, as well as allow for a focus on a specific population, issue, or type of work. Example specializations include community practice, trauma, substance abuse, mental health and aging. i

Most graduate social work programs take a practical approach to subject matter and may integrate practicums or other forms of hands on study. However research focused programs, typically in the form of PhD social work programs, may be available.

Types of Social Workers

Social workers are considered a helping profession and assist or advocate on behalf of individuals or communities. They help children and adults solve and cope with problems in their lives. Let's explore some postgraduate social work career paths.

Clinical Social Workers

Clinical social workers diagnose and treat mental, behavioral, and emotional issues. They may work in mental health clinics, schools, child welfare and human service agencies, hospitals, community development corporations, and private practices.

Within this broad category, there are several kinds of social workers, with different job descriptions. Each role may therefore have slightly different educational and/or licensing requirements.

Community (Macro) Social Workers

Community Practice or Macro social workers focus more on policy, advocacy, community organizing and human services management. The field of community practice social work encompasses community organizing, social planning, human service management, community development, policy analysis, policy advocacy, evaluation, mediation, electronic advocacy and other larger systems interventions. Typically community practice social workers hold a masters degree in social work (MSW).

Social Work Administrators and Policy Makers

Social work administrators are decision makers, concerned about the well-being of a total system versus one particular client. This is commonly referred to as macro, which is a term used to describe social workers who are concerned with large units of people. This work requires knowledge about social policy and the delivery of social services.

Why Do I Need A Graduate Degree in Social Work?

If you aspire to a specialist or advanced practice social worker role such as licensed clinical social worker (LCSWs), wish to work in private practice, or aim for leadership and management roles, earning a graduate social work degree may be an important next step - and a timely one.

Demand is rising for healthcare and social services which is likely to generate faster than average employment growth. This is especially true for clinical social workers, who hold a masters degree in social work (MSW) and licensure.i

Per the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), social workers, regardless of their career stage, are ethically responsible to stay informed of current research, theory, and techniques.ii Beyond professional development and the addition of credentials, social work graduate programs may enable social workers to follow a variety of potential career paths and possibly earn better salaries.iii

Per the BLS, social workers with an MSW degree earned 25% higher wages than individuals with a Bachelors in Social Work (BSW) degree as recently as 2013.iv

Fact: 50,395 total social work degrees were awarded in 2015. Growing at 5.22% with an average wage of $53, 330.v

How to Become a Social Worker

Usually the minimum educational requirement for initiating a career as a social worker is a bachelor of social work, earned at a school approved by the Council on Social Work. Social workers at this level of education may be assistants, case workers or in direct-service position, but they are not diagnosticians.

For those who wish to continue their higher education in social work with a masters do not necessarily need a baccalaureate in social work as a prerequisite. In many cases a liberal arts degree will be acceptable to enter into a Master's program.

In most states, baccalaureate social workers are licensed professionals but at the Master’s level social workers are eligible for licensing in all states, offering a wider scope of practice. It is important to choose a social work program that is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSCWE).

Finally, make sure you receive the proper licensing. It is important to familiarize yourself with state regulations on social work licensure requirements. States may require that social workers obtain a masters degree in social work or a relevant doctoral degree before applying for advanced social work licensure.i

A Potential Path to Social Work Licensure

Licensure requirements vary by state and typically fall into four categories. Below are some guidelines to help you determine which graduate social work program might match your goals.

Licensure at each of these levels also typically requires applicants to pass a standardized exam. However, this is just a general outline. Licensing requirements vary by state and position. It's best to contact your state's board to learn more.

Types of Social Work Programs

Social Work Graduate Programs are available as Masters in Social Work (MSW Programs), Doctorate of Social Work (DSW Programs), P.h.D. in Social Work Programs, and graduate certificates. Each may be ideally suited to different levels of experience and goals.

Master Programs in Social Work

The Master of Social Work (MSW) degree is a professional degree in social work and the miminum education for many advanced forms of licensure. As such, all MSW programs include coursework, as well as a supervised practicum. Overall employment of social workers is projected to grow 16 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations with the 2016 median pay being $46,890 per year according the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. i.

Prospective MSW students are not always required to hold a bachelor's degree in social work. However, it is recommended to have taken courses in psychology, sociology, economics, and political science. Average time to completion is two years for students with no previous social worker degree, and one year for advanced standing students who have completed a BSW program. Note that program lengths vary.

Types of Masters In Social Work Programs

Social work masters programs can typically be divided into two general categories: Clinical or Community Practice.

Community Practice or Macro MSW programs focus more on policy, advocacy, community organizing and human services management.

Within each of these categories, individual masters in social work programs may have different areas of focus. Often MSW students choose a specializaion, either a type of population, like children, or an issue, such as addiction or trauma.

The differences between each program may be limited or vast, depending on the social work school and program curriculum. Some programs take a more generalist approach and have a large core curriculum. Others may be more specifically tailored from the start. Therefore it's best to contact preferred MSW programs directly and read course lists.

Doctor of Social Work - DSW Programs

At the doctorate level, students who have earned their Masters in Social Work might pursue either a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) or a PhD in Social Work degree. These social work graduate programs offer the highest level of education in social work and may appeal to experienced professionals interested in social welfare policy or sociological research.

Earning a doctorate degree does not lead to advanced licensure, however, it may open the door to potential careers in research, academia or higher-level administrative positions.vi

The DSW is a professional degree and therefore focuses on the application of research and work in the field. A PhD in Social Work is an academic degree and may be more theoretical in nature.

In either program, most students must successfully complete coursework, pass comprehensive exams, and write and defend a dissertation. It might take a full time student about three to six years to earn a doctorate degree in social work, although time to completion varies.

Social Work Graduate Certificates

Graduate Certificates in Social Workmay be a great choice for students who want to deepen their knowledge and skill sets to work with specific populations. Typically shorter in duration than a full social work program, students might learn very targeted skills (e.g. trauma, addictions) in around one year. Program length varies.

Sometimes credits earned in a certificate program may be applied to a later MSW program. This varies by school, so it's best to talk to an advisor before enrolling.

Could I Earn an Online Degree in Social Work?

Graduate programs in social work may be offered online or on campus, with options that might encompass full-time and part-time programs. Use our on-page navigation to search for ‘online’, ‘campus’ or ‘hybrid’ graduate social worker degree programs. Alternatively, use our location setting to find graduate schools for social work by city, state or country.

Online Social Work Graduate Programs: Either fully online or with campus requirements. Study in the virtual classroom from a remote location. Online programs may allow you to pursue your education without compromising your lifestyle.

Campus Social Work Graduate Programs: Traditional face-to-face in person learning offered at social work schools in different locations. This may provide additional hands on study, as well as access to student resources and other campus facilities.

CSWE Accredited Social Work Graduate Programs

The Council on Social Work Education is the accrediting agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation as the sole accrediting agency for social work education. Their mission is to ensure and enhance “the quality of social work education for a professional practice that promotes individual, family, and community well-being, and social and economic justice”.vii

Graduation from an accredited graduate social work program may be required for licensure. Therefore, you may want to contact graduate social work schools directly to learn if they qualify.

Find Graduate Social Work Programs

Graduate programs in social work could help you define yourself as a social worker and jumpstart your career. Whether you choose to study full time or part time, in a traditional or virtual classroom, consider different options to land on a program that aligns with your interests and goals!

See sponsored listings for MSW, DSW, PhD and Certificates in Social Work here. Or use the menu to filter your options by level, location and format. When you're ready, click the link to request information on admissions, requirements and curriculum.

Finding a graduate social work program could be fast and simple. And the next enrollment may be soon. Start now!

The Catholic University of America

The online Master of Social Work is a top-50 Best Graduate Program for Social Work according to U.S. News and World Report—prepares its graduates to pass the Licensed Graduate Social Work exam to meet the challenges as a clinical social worker.

Sacred Heart University

You'll expand the level care and assistance you can provide to vulnerable populations and be a force of positive change in your community when you earn your Master of Social Work (MSW) degree online at Sacred Heart University...

You'll expand the level care and assistance you can provide to vulnerable populations and be a force of positive change in your community when you earn your Master of Social Work (MSW) degree online at Sacred Heart University.

Winthrop University

Winthrop University's online Master of Social Work Traditional program prepares students without a social work background to become competent, specialized social workers. Learn in a 60-credit hour program that starts with the foundations of socia...

Our Lady of the Lake University

Our Lady of the Lake University’s Worden School of Social Service, one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious schools of social work, is now offering its acclaimed Master of Social Work (MSW) degree program entirely online, giving work...

Boston University

With a rich history dating back to 1918, Boston University School of Social Work continues to educate agents of change through our comprehensive graduate program housed at a leading private research university.

With a rich history dating back to 1918, Boston University School of Social Work continues to educate agents of change through our comprehensive graduate program housed at a leading private research university.

Walden University

Walden’s Ph.D. in Social Work program can prepare you for the next step in your social work career as a college-level educator or thought leader. Achieve the highest credentials in your profession with this Ph.D. program in social work—th...

As an advanced social work professional, you are called upon to help society address its most pressing challenges. With Walden’s Doctor of Social Work (DSW) program, you can become a more authoritative advocate for social justice and gain the c...

As an advanced social work professional, you are called upon to help society address its most pressing challenges. With Walden’s Doctor of Social Work (DSW) program, you can become a more authoritative advocate for social justice and gain the c...

University of Southern California

The MSW@USC is the first top-ranked MSW program offered nationally. Many online programs are limited to certain geographic areas or the availability of courses, making it necessary to travel to campus. Our program can be completed from virtually anyw...

The USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work offers a 35-credit advanced standing MSW program with both full-time (three semesters) and part-time (five semesters) options. Admission to the advanced standing program allows students to complete th...

The MSW@USC gives students the opportunity to earn the same quality education on-campus students receive. Our robust virtual environment provides the latest web-based technology for a highly interactive experience that mirrors the stringent curriculu...

The USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work offers a 35-credit advanced standing MSW program with both full-time (three semesters) and part-time (five semesters) options. Admission to the advanced standing program allows students to complete th...

The USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work works with selected agencies and organizations across the country that represents the complete range of social services. This provides MSW@USC students the opportunity to apply what they learn i...

Dalhousie University

California State University, Northridge

CSUN's MSW program gives students the chance to work with at-risk populations and fosters an appreciation of the planned-change process. Its broad curriculum enables students to gain skills and perspective to work at any level.

University of Tennessee

The online Master of Science in Social Work at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is one of the nation's top accredited online programs when it comes to value and affordability, according to newly released rankings from the GetEducated cons...

The Master of Science in Social Work program at the University of Tennessee College of Social Work is the first and oldest graduate social work program in the state of Tennessee. Founded in 1942, it has been accredited continuously since 1945. The MS...

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